MOSCOW, September 26 Russian Aleksandra Goryachkina beat Chinese Zhu Jin'er in the eighth game round at the first stage of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Grand Prix series, which takes place in Astana. The game in which Goryachkina played with white pieces ended on the 43rd move. In other games of the game day, Polina Shuvalova defeated compatriot Alexandra Kosteniuk with white pieces, Ekaterina Lahno defeated Germany's Elisabeth Petz with white pieces. According to the results of eight games, Goryachkina is in the lead with six points, the same number of running Lahno is second. Kosteniuk is fifth (4 points), Shuvalova is in penultimate, 11th place (2.5). In the next round, which will be held on Tuesday, Goryachkina will play with black pieces against Kazakhstani Zhansaya Adumalik, Lahno with black pieces — with Zhu Jin'er. The Grand Prix stage in Astana will end on September 29. The two best female chess players in the series, which consists of four stages, will ensure their participation in the FIDE Candidates Tournament.
